Method and apparatus for handling tape

ABSTRACT

A tape is advanced by power means and the extent of advance of the tape is controlled by preset means actuated by the travel of the tape. When used in conjunction with a printer the tape comprises a print-receiving strip divided by lines of tear, such as perforated lines, into units of equal length, and the leading end is raised into contact with a flat printing head which may be employed to print on one or two unit lengths of the tape strip; the return movement of the support means of the tape strip is employed to actuate the power means, and the control means is preset to limit the advance of the tape to a distance equal to one or two unit lengths of the printed tape strip. A tape clamping means is deactuated and actuated as the tape drive means is actuated and deactuated.

Luperti et al.

[54] METHOD A D APPARATUS ron HANDLING TAPE [75] Inventors: Harry E.Luperti, Wilton; Robert R. Reid, Easton, both of Conn.; Anthony Waber,Long Island City, N.Y.

[73] Assignee: Pitney-Bowes, llnc., Stamford, Conn.

[22] Filed: Aug. 24, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 66,350

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Henpel et al. ..226/135 Lane..226/l35 1 Jan. 23, 1973 Primary ExaminerRichard A. Schacher AssistantExaminerGene A. Church Attorney-William D. Soltow, Jr., Albert W.Scribner, Martin D. Wittstein and Louis A. Tirelli [57] ABSTRACT A tapeis advanced by power means and the extent of advance of the tape iscontrolled by preset means actuated by the travel of the tape.

When used in conjunction with a printer the tape comprises aprint-receiving strip divided by lines of tear, such as perforatedlines, into units of equal length, and the leading end is raised intocontact with a flat printing head which may be employed to print on oneor two unit lengths of the tape strip; the return movement of thesupport means of the tape strip is employed to actuate the power means,and the control means is preset to limit the advance of the tape to adistance equal to one or two unit lengths of the printed tape strip.

A tape clamping means is deactuated and actuated as the tape drive meansis actuated and deactuated.

SHEET 1 OF 6 INVENTORS HARRY E. LUPERTI ROBERT R.- REID ANTHONY WABERQmw PATENTED JAN 2 3 I975 PATENTEUJM123 197s SHEET 2 BF 6 PATENTEDJAH23191a 3.712.527

sum u 0F 6 HARRY E. LUPERT ROBERT R. REID ANTHONY WABER Z 2 HTTIIRNA'YPATENTEDmzs I975 3.712.527

SHEET 5 OF 6 INVENTORS HARRY E. LUDERT! ROBERT 9.. REM) ANTHONY WABERPATENTEDJAH 23 I973 SHEET 6 BF 6 VIII/1,

INVENTORS HARRY E. LUPERTI ROBERT R. REID ANTHONY WABER IITTIIRNA'Y.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING TAPE FIELD OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to a novel system and apparatus for handling tape, topresent to an operator longer or shorter lengths. The invention is notlimited to the use made of the lengths. They may, for example, bewritten on, or printed on, after or before being presented to theoperator. If provided with an adhesive backing they may be employed aslabels and applied to another object such as a package. This inventiongives flexibility to the length of written or printed matter which maybe put on a label since it provides a label of a length proportionate tothe length of the written or printed matter. While not necessarilylimited to use with a postage meter the invention is particularlyadapted for use in conjunction with a postage meter of the flat bedprinting type and for such use the tape is desirably a composite tapecomprising a first strip which has pressure sensitive adhesive on oneface and is divided into units of equal length by transverse lines oftear such as, for example, perforated lines, and a protective secondstrip covering the adhesive face of the first strip and having a seriesof slots along one edge which when the tape is advancing engage anddrive control means selectively preset to deactuate the power meansafter the tape has advanced a distance equal to one or two unit lengthsof the first strip.

An object of this invention is to overcome a deficiency of the prior artand provide a tape handling system and apparatus by which a tape may beadvanced selectively by power means a greater or lesser distance.

Another object of the invention'is to provide a novel tape handlingsystem 'for use with a flat bed printer to selectively provide longer orshorter lengths of printed tape.

Another object of the invention is to utilize slots in an advancinglength of tape to actuate means for controlling thedistance the tape isadvanced.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device operable afterprinting onone or more unit lengths of the leading end of a tape .toadvance the tape a preselected distance equal to the length of thenumber of units which have been printed on.

Another object-of the invention is to handle a tape which is dividedinto units of equal length by transverse lines of perforations,and theleading end of which has been printed on one unit, or, on twosuccessiveunits, to selectively advance theprinted tape a distance equal to thelength of the number of units which have been printed on, and to aposition the printed unit or units to be severed from the remainingportion of the tap.

Another-object of the invention is to handle a composite tape comprisinga first tape strip with a pressure sensitive adhesive backing and asecond tape strip which overlies the adhesive backing of the first tapestrip, by applying power to the'second strip to advance it and utilizingthe advance of the second strip to advance the first strip I and toactuate means for controlling the length of advance of both strips.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for guiding andsupporting a length of tape so thatthe leading end portion of the tapemay be raised and lowered in a vertical planewithout advancing the tapehorizontally, and to employ the reciprocal movement to trigger advanceof the tapea preselected distance.

Another object of the invention is to provide brake means for clamping alength of tape between successive forward movements and to release itsimultaneously with the application to the tape of an advancing force.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for deactuating tapeadvancing means if the tape is accidentally severed or if the cover .ofthe tape handling apparatus is not closed.

The invention will be best understood by reading the followingdescription in connection with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of the inventionwith the front cover partly cut away;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view partly in cross section;

FIG. 3 is a cross section taken on the lines 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing thedrum assembly which controls the tape length, the brake assembly, andthe tape take-up reel and drive;

FIG. 4 is a cross section taken on the lines 4-4 of FIG. 1 showing thebrake assembly;

FIG. 5 is a cross section on the lines 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross section taken on the lines .6-6 of FIG. 1 showing thecontrol drum and the tape track support and its vertical slideway;

FIG. 7 is a cross section taken on the lines 7-7 of FIG. 1 looking downon the track support and its slideway;

FIG. 8 is a cross section taken on the lines ;8-8 of FIG. 2 showing therelationship between the tape guide means and the brake means forholding the tape in position when it is not being advanced;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing particularly the verticallyreciprocable tape track and its vertically slideable support means inrelation to the motor controlling switch means and its supportingbracket and showing also means for opening the switch when the frontcover is not in closed position, or if the tape becomes severed withinthe machine;

FIG. 10 shows the lever arm of FIG. 9 in switch deactuation position;

FIG. 11 shows a length of composite tape T disposed as it is on thetrack, with print receiving strip t-l divided into units of equal lengthby transverse lines of perforation, and with the laterally extendingmargin of protective strip t-2 provided with slots which are alignedwiththe lines of perforation, and withstrip t- 2 doubled back as strip1-1 is separated from it and extends forwardly;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing particularly leading end of thelower guide member in relation to the brake operating means and thecontrol drumgand FIG. 13 is a schematic viewiof the motor and solenoidcontrolcircuit.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE In the embodiment ofthe invention describedherein the tape is a composite tape comprising, aprint-receiving firststrip which has a backing of pressure sensitive adhesive and-isdividedinto units ofequal length by lines of tear in the first strip. ltshould be noted, however, that the said slots need not be aligned withthe lines of tear in the first strip but need only to be spaced apartthe same distance as the lines of tear in the first strip.

The composite tape is initially threaded through the apparatus to bedescribed and in the process the tape is advanced from a source ofsupply such as a tape roll mounted on a first reel, and over guide meansand a vertically reciprocable track, and at the outer end of the trackthe protective second strip is separated from the first strip and islead back and its free end is engaged with a second reel which is powerdriven to wind up the second strip and thereby advance both strips. Thefree end of the print-receiving strip, which has been projected from oneend of the machine, is torn off at a line of tear which is disposedadjacent the point of separation between the two tape strips and alsoadjacent the end of the machine.

Apparatus embodying the invention is shown in conjunction with a postalmeter which has in it a printing head adapted to receive either ashorter linear printing insert for printing on one unit of theprint-receiving tape or a longer insert for printing simultaneously ontwo consecutive units of the print-receiving tape. The postal meter isdisposed on a bed within a frame which is side by side with theembodiment of this invention. The face of the postal meter is recessedand in being assembled with the tape handling apparatus it is moved so areciprocal platen within it is positioned directly beneath a verticallyreciprocable tape track extending from and forming part of the instantinvention. The structure and operation of the postage meter is not partof this invention and its platen may be raised and lowered in anysuitable way, as for example by cam mechanism (not shown). It is onlyimportant here that the track which comprises part of this inventionrises and falls with the postage meter platen.

With the tape threaded through the tape handling apparatus and a postagemeter properly assembled with it, a label printing and advancingoperation is initiated by the operator depressing a key of the postagemeter thus actuating its platen and elevating the tape track of theinstant invention and bringing the tape which is on the track intocontact with the printing head (not shown) which is within the postagemeter.

In falling back to its lower position the tape supporting track causesactuation of a switch which turns on a motor. The rotation of the motorshaft turns a reel on which the protective second strip is wound up,thereby unwinding the composite tape from a tape supply reel andadvancing it a predetermined distance through guide means and over thesaid track. A control drum which is rotated by the advancing tape hasmeans which may be manually preset to control the extent of advance ofthe tape before deactuating the motor.

Closing of the switch which actuates the motor and turns the take-upreel simultaneously actuates a solenoid and swings a spring actuatedbrake from a tape clamping position thereby allowing the tape toadvance. Deactuation of the motor simultaneously deactuates the solenoidand permits the brake to again clamp the tape and prevent it from beingaccidentally advanced. Means are also provided which are responsiverespectively to forward movement of the tape track, and to the positionof the front cover of the described apparatus to open the motor controlswitch and prevent operation of the system if for any reason the tapebecomes severed within the machine or if the front cover is open.

DESCRIPTION In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the apparatuscomprises a housing including a base 10 on which three compartments aredefined, compartment B being behind compartment A and separated from itby the vertical wall 12, and compartment C being disposed alongsidecompartments A and B. Most of the working parts of the illustratedembodiment are within compartment A, and a cover member 14 extends overthe front of compartment A and is hinged to the base 10 by hinges b sothat it can be swung forward into a horizontal plane to give access tothe interior of compartment A. A rod 16 is pivoted at its front end to abracket 18 projecting rearwardly from cover 14 and extends through wall12 and at its rear end is pivoted to the bracket 20 extending rearwardlyfrom wall 12. Rod 16 extends through a slot 24 in vertical member 22which is mounted on swinging bracket 52 and coacts with other means tobe described to prevent operation of the machine unless the cover isclosed. Compartment C has a platform 30 disposed horizontallyintermediate the base 10 and the top of the surrounding wall 32,providing a seat for a postage meter 34 which may be of known kind andis not part of this invention and accordingly is not described herein indetail and is used only to show how the postage meter is interrelated tothe actuation and function of the illustrated embodiment of the instantinvention.

Within compartment A and mounted on wall 12 is a reel 40 adapted toreceive and provide a rotatable support for a spool 42 of tape T, and arotatable take-up reel 44 which is mounted on shaft 46 extending throughwall 12 and connected to motor M shown disposed in compartment B. MotorM is controlled by a normally closed switch 48 which is pivotallymounted on swinging bracket 52 to be described. Also supported from wall12 are the upper and lower tape guide members 60 and 62, the lower guidemember having an opening at 64 to permit a brake member 66 to be movedtoward and away from the under surface of upper guide member 60 to clampand release a length of tape as will be described. The lower guidemember 62 is extended beyond guide member 60 and in the extended portionan elongated slot 68 is provided. Teeth or cogs 70 on the periphery of arotatable drum 72, which is disposed above guide member 62 and is presetto control the length of tape advance, extend into slot 68 throughspaced slots 74 along a margin of tape disposed on guide 62 and travelthrough the slot as the drum is rotated by the advancing tape as will bedescribed. As illustrated in FIG. 11 tape T is a composite tapecomprising a print receiving strip t] which is divided into units 76 ofequal length by lines of perforations 78 extending across the tapeproviding lines of tear, and a protective tape strip :2 which extendsover the adhesive backing 79 of tape strip :4.

Longitudinally aligned with guide 62 is a vertically reciprocable tapetrack assembly which comprises the horizontal track sub-assembly 80 andthe vertically extending member 84 which is mounted in a verticalslideway 96 defined by a pair of channel members 98 disposed in opposedrelation on wall 12 and on a standard 90 extending up from the base 10.The channel members 89 are mounted on wall 12 and standard 90 forlateral adjustment by pin and slot connections 89. Pins 92 extendinglaterally from member 84 extend into, and travel in, the respectivechannel members.

The horizontal track sub-assembly 80 comprises a lower flat elongatedmember 80, and a upper flat, elongated member 80,, which is superimposedon lower member 89,, and is assembled to it by pin and slot means 82which permit limited longitudinal movement of upper member 80,, on lowermember 80 A length of felt or other suitable cushioning material 80 isprovided on the upper track member 80,, to cushion contact between aprinting head, which is within the postage meter and not shown, and alength of printreceiving tape positioned on the track and lifted intocontact with the printing head as will be described. The extreme outerend of upper track member 80,, is angled upward providing a short lip 94over which a tape travels while advancing a preselected, measureddistance. Lip 94 also causes and facilitates separation between twolayers or strips t-l and t-2 comprising the composite tape T illustratedin FIG. 11.

It will be noted that although the track support member 84 and itsvertical slideway 86 are within compartment A, the track 80 extends intoand substantially through compartment C, and over a verticallyreciprocable platen 36 of the postage meter 34, as is shown in FIG. 1.

The left end portion 81 (as seen in FIG. 9) of lower track member 80 isextended rearwardly and bent down along the vertical member 84 to whichit is secured by screws 85. The upper track member 80,, extends beyondthe lower track member 80,, and at its left end has a wider portion 110which is bent down along its front edge providing a flange 112 which iscut away to provide a mounting on its inner surface for one end of aspring 1 14 the other end of which is attached to the bent down endportion 81 of the lower track member 80,, which is cutaway to permit thespring to be attached to its inner surface. T

Beneath the wider portion 110 of the upper slide member 80,, is abracket 118 defining the rearwardly projecting arm 120. The rear end ofthe wider portion 110 of the upper track member 80,, is bent downforming an extension 122 which has in it the vertically extending slot124 in'which rides a pin 126 by which horizontal movement of the uppertrack member is communicated to the lower part of the two-part sensingand switch deactuating arm 128.

Extending from the rear edge of the upper track member 80,, and bentforwardly over the track is a guide and tape hold-down member 130 whichat its free front end is bent upwardly providing a curved portion 132which facilitates inserting a strip of tape edgewise under the hold-downand onto the track.

SWITCH CARRYING SWINGING BRACKET The swinging bracket 52 mounted on wall12 on pivot 54 is disposed within compartment A adjacent the left end ofthe vertically reciprocal tape track and support assembly 80, 84.Mounted on bracket 52 for swinging movement with it is a normally closedswitch 48 having along leaf switch actuating arm 50.

Also mounted on the swinging bracket 52 are, the pivoted catch 134, andthe member 22 which is responsive in its position of cover 14. Miember134 is a short arm pivoted at its upper end on pivot 136. Adjacent itslower end the catch is stepped outwardly along its edge which is opposedto the track assembly defining a seat 138 on which the track assemblyrests momentarily at the top of its upward movement, as shown in FIG. 9long enough for the printing head within the postage meter 34 to printon one or two units 76 of tape strip t-l. The edge of the catch belowseat 138 is inclined and is disposed above arm when the track is in itsnormal, unelevated position and so is contacted by said arm and swung ina clockwise direction when the track assembly rises. A spring 140 coiledaround pivot 136, between catch 134 and the swinging bracket 52, opposesclockwise movement of the catch and tends to restore it to its verticalposition and so tends to move the catch seat 138 under arm 120 as thetrack assembly rises.

The actuating member 22 which adjacent its lower end has slot throughwhich extends the rod 16 connected between cover 14 and wall 12, isconnected to the bracket 52 by the pin and slot connections 142. Theupper end of member 22 is bent forwardly over the projection or flag 164extending laterally from the upper portion of safety control switchdeactuating lever 128.

A long spring 144 connected between pin 146 on wall 12 and the comer 148of bracket 52 serves to dampen swinging movement of the bracket and torestore it to its rest position.

SAFETY CONTROL SWITCH DEACTUATING LEVER The safety control switchdeactuating lever 128 is a two part member comprising a lower part 150and an upper part 152. The lower end of upper part 152 is pivotallyconnected to the upper end of lower part 150 by pivot pin 154. The twopart lever 128 is pivotally mounted on wall 12 by pivot 156. The upperpart 152 of the lever assembly is preferably a flexible spring armadapted to be swung into contact with, and to raise the switch arm 50.The parts 150 and 152 are further interconnected by spring 158 whichextends around pivot 154 between the two parts, and has its endsconnected to the parts respectively, thereby tending to hold the twopart lever in longitudinally aligned relation as shown in FIG. 9. Anextension 160 from the lower portion of the upper part 152 curves aroundin front of the left hand edge of the lower part 152 and serves as astop limiting the return swinging movement of the upper part relative tothe lower part in the direction away from switch arm 50. A lateralfinger or flag 162 projects from the lower end of the upper part 152under the overturned upper end 164 of member 22, which is mounted onswinging bracket 52 by pin and slot connections 142 and is raised orlowered by the opening or closing of the front cover member 14. Whenoverturned end 164 of member 22 presses down on flag 162 the upper part152 of lever 128 is swung clockwise and strikes and raises switch arm50, thereby opening normally closed switch 48.

As mentioned above the tape strip extending around the far end oftrackmember 80,, exerts pressure tending to move member 80;, to the left ofmember 80 ll" the tape strip breaks, force of spring 114 will causetrack member 80 to move forwardly, and this action will signal the breakin the tape by swinging lever 128 and opening switch 48.

in the lower part 150 of lever ann 128 but above pivot 156 is alongitudinal slot 166 in which is seated the enlarged eccentric head 168of pin 170 which extends forwardly through the slot 124 in the bracket122 which extends down from the rear side of the left end of uppertrack-member 80, thus linking the upper track member 80,, to the sensingand switch deactuating arm 128 and causing the latter to sense and beresponsive to horizontal movement of the upper track member 80,, at anytime, including when the track member is moving in a vertical plane.

THE DRUM Above the portion of lower guide 62 which defines the elongatedslot 68 a drum 72 is mounted for rotation on the enlarged portion 181 ofshaft 180 the rear end of which is reduced in diameter and extendsthrough the wall 12 and the tubular boss 182 extending forwardly fromwall 12, and is secured to the wall 12 by the nut on its threaded rearend. The front end of shaft 180 is triangular and extends well into thetubular member 188 the inside diameter of which is shaped to conform tothe triangular shape of the shaft. Tubular member 188 projectsrearwardly from the control head 186 and at its rear end carries thevertically disposed crosshead 190. The whole sub-assembly comprisingcontrol head 186, tubular member 188 and vertical crosshead 190, ismovable forwardly and rearwardly on shaft 180 a short distance. Fixed onshaft 180 beyond the range of movement of the sub-assembly is acrosshead 192 which is disposed horizontally.

Carried by the drum are pins 200 which are operative when fullyprojected rearwardly. The number of pins which are operative can bevaried by pushing in or pulling out the control head 186 which as shownhas the finger bar 187 to facilitate the pushing in, and particularlythe pulling out action.

Projecting radially from the drum 72 around its periphery and in thevertical plane of elongated slot 68 in guide 62 are teeth 70 which whentape T is advancing over the lower guide 62 successively enter thespaced slots or holes 74 along a margin of the tape. The moving tapethus engages the teeth successively causing the drum 72 to rotate in acounterclockwise direction. As the drum rotates the pins 200 which arefully projected rearwardly are operative to successively contact switcharm 50 and raise it to open position. In the illustrated embodiment ofthe invention four pins 200 and four teeth 70 are shown, but the numberof pins 200 and the number of teeth 70 employed can be varied in otherembodiments according to the number of difierent incremental units 76 oftape desired to be fed during each machine cycle as along as theperipheral distance along the outer surface of drum 72 between thecenters of teeth 70 is equal to or less than the distance between thecenters of slots 74.

Extending through the drum adjacent its periphery and disposed radiallyaround shaft 180 at equal angular distances are four bores 198 throughwhich respectively the pins 200 extend. Each pin has intermediate itsends a portion of increased diameter forming a ring boss 202 around thepin the outer surface of which is rounded transversely of the ring.Extending circumferentially around the drum 72 and transversely of thebores is a slot 204 which opens into each of the bores. A coil spring206 is disposed in slot 204 and extends across and partly into, eachbore, and yielding resists passing of the ring bosses 202 thuspreventing uncontrolled movements of the pins axially in the bores 198.For centering the pins within the bores 198 circular flanges 212 areprovided around the portions of the pins which travel within the frontportion of the bores; the intermediate portions 214 of the bores 198 arereduced in diameter to conform to the ring bosses 202; and at their rearends the bores are further reduced in diameter to provide bearing 216for the rear ends of the pins respectively. Spaced from the rear end ofeach pin is a head 208 which limits its forward movement.

On the front end of each pin 200 two axially spaced heads 220 and 222are provided. It will be noted that each of the crossheads 190 and 192is long enough for its ends to respectively extend into the spacesbetween the heads of two pins which are spaced apart as the pins passover the respective ends of the crosshead, but is of less width so thatit does not extend into the spaces between the heads of the other twopins which are spaced apart 180 but disposed in a plane at right anglesto the plane of the two pins which are passing over the respective endsof the crosshead.

The horizontal crosshead 192 serves to insure that two opposing pins ofthe four pins 200 illustrated will be fully projected rearwardly fromdrum 72 at all times although the other two pins 200 may be fullyprojected rearwardly or may be withdrawn from operative positiondepending upon the position of the control head sub-assembly on shaft180.

When the head 186 is pushed in all four pins 200 will be fully projectedrearwardly. The front ends of all four of the pins 200 will lie in thesame vertical plane and as the drum rotates the heads 200 and 222 on allfour pins will pass on opposite sides of the ends of both crossheads asthe pins pass over them. Since the four pins are aligned with the teeth70 which are spaced apart a distance equal to or less than the spacingbetween successive lines of perforations 78 across tape strip t-l a pin200 will strike and raise the switch arm 50 of the normally closedswitch 48, thus deactuating the motor M and stopping the travel of thetape T, after each advance of the tape a distance equal to the length ofone unit 76 of said tape strip. Since the drum is rotated by the travelof the tape its rotation will stop immediately when switch 48 is openedleaving a pin 200 disposed against the switch arm 50 and holding it inopen position. When the bracket 52 is swung clockwise to initiateanother advance of the tape, switch arm 50 is freed from the pin 200which has been holding it in open position and the next pin 200 will notstrike switch arm 50 until the tape has advanced a distancecorresponding to the distance between fully projected pins.

When the control head 186'and its sub-assembly are pulled out as shownin FIG. 3, the ends of the vertical crosshead engage the inner sides ofheads 220 on the two pins which are then passing over the ends of thatcrosshead and pull those two pins forwardly. The heads 220 and 222 onthose two pins will be in front of the plane of horizontal crosshead 192and their rear ends will not strike the switch arm 50 as the drumrotates. The position of the other two pins 200 remains unchanged andtheir rear ends will project rearwardly enough to strike the switch arm56 as they rotate with the drum. Since the distance between the tworearwardly projected pins corresponds to the length of two units 76 oftape strip t-l a pin 200 will strike the switch arm 50 after the tapehas advanced a distance corresponding to the length of two units 76 oftape strip t-l.

THE BRAKE The core 230 of solenoid S is normally extended and brake 66is normally in tape clamping position. When the solenoid is actuated itscore is drawn in causing unclamping of the tape.

Core 230 has a depending strap 232 which at its lower end is pivoted onshaft 234 which is mounted on and projects forwardly through wall 12. Apin 236 extends from the strap 232 through an arcuate slot 238 in wall12 and its forward end engages in a notch 242 in the side'of the upperportion of a lever member 240 mounted for rotation around hub 244 onshaft 234.

The lower tape guide 62 is supported adjacent its end which is its leftend as seen by the viewer, on shaft 234 which extends through bearings246 and 248 provided for it respectively at the leading end extension247 of the down turned front margin of guide 62 and by the bent overportion 249 extending down from the guide 62 adjacent its rear margin.Lower guide 62 is urged to swing counter clockwise by a spring 250 whichextends around hub 244 and has one end anchored to the flag 252projecting from the lower guide member. The other end 251 of spring 250bears against the anchoring pin 254 projecting from wall 12.

The curved forward end portion of guide 62 is cut away to provide anopening 64 through which a brake shoe 66 may be swung to move toward andaway from the upper guide 60to clamp a length of tape against the upperguide or release it for forward movement.

The brake shoe 66 is mounted for rotation around hub 244 and carries apin 256 which projects from the rear of brake shoe-66 and engages abracket am 258 affixed to the lever arm 240, thereby causing the brakeshoe 66 to rotate with, and in the same direction as, the upper part ofthe lever arm 240. As shown the bracket arm 258, which is roughtly Sshaped, is secured to the lower end of lever arm 240 by a screw 260which extends beyond the lever arm 240 and provides an anchor for oneend of spring 262. The other end of spring 262 is attached to the flag264 extending from the lower guide member 62 (FIG. 8). Spring 262 tendsto rotate lever 240 in clockwise direction to return core 230 to itsnormal extended position and to restore the clamping action of brakeshoe 66, and does so when solenoid S is deactuated allowing its core tomove outwardly.

A hand grip 266 is also shown by which the brake shoe 66 can be swungmanually to non-operating position for convenience in inserting a lengthof tape T between the guide members in setting up the apparatus. Thehand grip may be extended rearwardly (FIG. 4) to provide a guard 268(FIG. 4) to prevent a person's hand or fingers being inserted under theleading end portion of lower guide 62.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 the hand grip 266 is connected bybracket arm 276 to a hub 272 which is rotatable on shaft 234. Pin 256which extends from bracket arm 256 through brake shoe 66 also extendsthrough bracket arm 270 and thus rotary movement of hand grip 266 andits bracket arm 270 is communicated to the brake shoe 66.

Hub 272 is urged to move axially against a pin 274, which extendsvertically through shaft 234, by spring 276 which extends around theshaft, on the far side of hub 272 from pin 274. On the face of hub 272opposing pin 274 are two angularly related grooves 280 and 282 (FIG. 5).Groove 280 extends vertically and pin 274 is normally engaged in it andholds the hand grip assembly in its normal position with the brake shoein tape clamping position. Pressing down on the hand grip 266 causes hub272 to rotate moving it out of engagement with pin 274 and swinging thebrake shoe 66 away from clamping position until groove 282 registerswith and engages pin 274 thus holding the hand grip assembly in itslower position with the brake show swung away from its tape clampingposition.

As indicated in FIG. 12 solenoid S is actuated to release the brake shoe66 when Motor M is actuated to advance the tape T. 1

SETTING UP AND OPERATING In setting up the apparatus a spool of tape Tis placed on a rotatable reel 40 and a leading end portion of the tapeis drawn from the spool and inserted between upper and lower guidemembers 60 and 62, brake member 66 being swung out of the way to allowthis to be done, and under drum 72, with its marginal spaced slots 74vertically aligned with the elongated slot 68 in the lower guide 62, andis inserted under the track guide and holddown 130 and extended overtrack member b and over its upturned lip 94 at its far end. The tape isdrawn out far enough so tape strip t-2, which at this point is separatedfrom tape strip t-l, can be led around the far end of track member 8012and back under the track and secured to reel 44 on which it is woundeach time Motor M operates, thus also advancing tape strip t-1. Theleading end portion of strip t-l, corresponding to the length of stript-2 which has been doubled back-under the track, is now torn off at aline of tear 78 substantially at the end of track member 80b and overlip 94 and the apparatus is ready to be operated. When coupled with apostal meter of known flat bed printing type, the apparatus operates toadvance the tape to project strip t-l beyond lip 94 a distance equal tothe length of one or two units 76 of tape strip t-l depending uponwhether the drum control head 186 is pushed in or pulled out. If controlhead 166 is pushed in a printed label comprising one unit length ofstrip t-l will be projected from the machine in position to be separatedby the operator along the second line of tear.

After the control head has been positioned in or out .depending on thedesired length of printed label, a trip bar 300 on the postage meter isdepressed to actuate suitable means within the postage meter to raiseand lower its platen 36. Since the postage meter has been placed onfloor 30 with its platen 36 disposed under the track 80 of the instantinvention, rising and falling of platen will cause the track assemblyalso to be raised and lowered. At the end of its upward movement thetrack assembly rests momentarily on the seat 138, defined by arm 134which is pivotally mounted on swinging bracket 52, while the tapecontacts, and is printed on, by a printing head which is within thepostage meter and is not shown since it is not part of this invention.

Raising of the track assembly does not cause tape T to be pulledforwardly or to break because the track in its normal, unelevatedposition is below the lever of guide member 62, as noted above, and canrise the same distance above guide member 62 without placinglongitudinal stress on the tape.

Immediately after a printing operation, as platen 36 falls, the weightof the track assembly is exerted on member 134 through seat 138 and thiscauses swinging bracket 52 to be swung clockwise on its pivot mounting54 allowing the track arm 120 to slide off seat 138, this action beingaided by the incline on the edge of 134. When bracket 52 swingsclockwise, it frees the arm 50 of normally closed switch 48 from therear end of one of the pins 200 (FIG. 9) projecting from drum 72,allowing the switch to close and complete an electric circuit whichactuates simultaneously motor M and solenoid S, rotating brake shoe 66to free tape T and allow it to move forward as strip t-2 is wound up ontake-up reel 44 thus advancing the entire composite tape. After themotor M and solenoid S have been actuated and the track has fallen thebracket 52 is returned to its initial position by the action of spring144. The peripheral teeth 70 on drum 72 are successively engaged by thespaced slots 74 in the margin of tape strip t-2 causing the drum torotate. After the drum has rotated a distance equal to the length of oneunit of tape strip t-l, or equal to the length of two units of tapestrip 1-1, depending on the setting of control head 186, one of the pins200 fully projected from the drum will strike and raise switch arm 50which is again positioned so that it extends into the rotary path of theends of the fully projected pins 200, thus opening switch 48 and endingthe advance of the tape. The printed label comprising one or two unitlengths of tape strip t-l may then be separated and the apparatus isready to repeat its operation as soon as it is again actuated by causinganother vertical reciprocation of the tape supporting track assembly.

As stated above, lifting of switch arm 50 opens switch 48 and deactuatesmotor M, and this occurs once for each rotary advance of control drum 72since the switch arm extends into the rotary path of the rear ends ofthose pins 200 which are fully projected rearwardly from the drum.Lifting of the switch arm 50 and deactuating of motor M also occurs iffor any reason tape extending through the apparatus is severed at anypoint between the brake shoe 66 and the take-up reel 44, and also whenthe front cover member 14 is in open position. In either of the lattertwo situations the upper end of a sensing arm 128 is swung against theunder surface of the switch arm 50 and raises it.

Sensing arm 128 is a two part arm. If a break occurs in the tape thepressure of the tape strip t-2 against the end of track member 80b isrelieved and spring 114 causes the track member to move longitudinally.This movement is communicated to the lower part of arm 128 and the wholearm is swung clockwise on pivot 156 and raises switch arm 50. If thecover 14 is open the upper part 152 of arm 128 is swung clockwise onpivot 154 and raises switch arm 50.

For inserting tape between the upper and lower guide members 60 and 62the brake member 66 may be conveniently swung out of the way and heldout of the way be depressing hand grip 266 thus rotating its hub 272 andbringing slot 282 in its face into register with pin 274 (FIG. 5).

Ratchet means are provided in connection with reel 44. This action ishelpful particularly in initially attaching the free end of tape strip1-2 to the take-up reel 44 and rotating the reel manually to place a fewturns around the reel.

On the rear face of the flange of tape-up reel 44 are teeth 44a whichengage teeth 45a on ratchet member 45 which is fixed on drive shaft 46.Reel 44 is pressed inward by spring 47 to keep the teeth 44a on theflange engaged with the teeth 450 on member 45 and thereby provide aratchet action to prevent the turning of takeup reel 44 in the counterclockwise direction.

There has thus been provided a system and apparatus by which the abovementioned objects are accomplished in a thoroughly practical anddependable way.

What we claim is:

1. Apparatus for advancing a multi-layer tape a desired distancecomprising:

support means for a length of tape;

means for advancing the tape;

drive means for the tape advancing means;

control means for said drive means;

a first operating means for said control means and adapted to initiateoperation of said drive means; and

a second operating means engaged and driven by the advancing tape forsaid control means and adapted to terminate operation of said drivemeans,

said second operating means comprising a rotatable drum having radiallyprojecting fingers disposed at spaced intervals around its periphery andpositioned to enter slots in the tape and at least one switch actuatingpin projecting from said drum and spaced radially from the axis ofrotation of said drum whereby rotation of the drum is caused by theadvancing tape until said pin contacts said switch to terminateoperation of the motor.

2. Apparatus for advancing a multi-layer tape a desired distancecomprising:

support means for a length of tape;

means for advancing the tape;

drive means for the tape advancing means;

control means for said drive means;

a first operating means for said control means and adapted to initiateoperation of said drive means; and

a second operating means engaged and driven by the advancing tape forsaid control means and adapted to terminate operation of said drivemeans,

said means for advancing the tape comprising a take up spool, said drivemeans comprising an electric motor drivingly connected to the take upspool, said second operating means comprising a rotatable drum havingradially projecting fingers disposed at spaced intervals around itsperiphery and positioned to enter slots in the tape and at least oneswitch actuating pin projecting from said disposed at spaced intervalsaround its periphery and positioned to successively enter slots in thetape as the tape is advanced whereby the movethe said contacting meansbeing spaced apart a predetermined distance to contact the switch arm asthe drum is rotated and stop the advance of the tape after it hasadvanced a desired distance as indrum and spaced radially from andparallel to the dlcated y the pacing between said contactin axis ofrotation of said drum whereby rotation of means the drum is caused bythe advancing tape until said Apparatus for advancmg a composite tapehaYmg pin contacts said switch to terminate operation of upper layer i la protectwe backmg layer a deslred the motor distance comprising:

3. Apparatus for advancing a multilayer tape desired Support means alength distance comprising: means for advancing the tape,

5 on means for a 16 n th of ta drive means for the tape advancing means;

gf for advancing g p p means for actuating the drive means;

drive means for the tape advancing means which medags actuated 22 f 3control the comprises an electric motor in a switch controlled 22: 15:;c J t e tape as a vanced the circuit said switch havin an actuatin armheld in an open circuit conditior i motor actsating means means formoYmg the support means lqnglmdmauy If I com rises means for mov in theswitch to free its pl-lotecuve layer of the tape Smp breaks thus armsaid holdin mgeans and emit the relieving the pressure exerted on an endof the sup switch to close the circr iit, and motor deactuating a? bythe protective tape layer extendmg around means t: fi t' for t'j h fg asensing arm operable to deactuate the drive means; arm an re rnmg 1 o aposr ion w erem sar and sw'tch ii g A g l h means communicatinglongitudinal movement of the ii f actuate e :h vancmg t 3 th support tothe sensing arm and causing it to deacdrive (paeans a ter e tape as avance e mate the dnve means 6. Apparatus for advancing a multi-layertape a said tape having a series of longitudinally spaces slots desireddistance comprising;

and the drive means deactuating means being a rosupport means f a lengthf tape; tary member having radially projected fingers means f advancingh tape;

drive means for the tape advancing means; means for actuating the drivemeans; means actuated by the advancing tape to control the ment of thetape is transmitted to the rotary member and causes it to rotate, saiddrive means deactuating means further comprising means which as therotary member rotates, contacts the switch arm and moves it to opencircuit position.

4. Apparatus for advancing a multi-layer tape a drive means after thetape has advanced the desired distance;

a cover member movable between a closed position and an open position;

a sensing arm operable to deactuate the drive means;

and

desired distance comprising: 40 means responsive to the position of thecover support means foralength of tape; member communicating to thesensing arm the means for advancing the tape; position of the covermember and causing the v drive means for the tape advancing means whichsensing arm to deactuate the drive means when the comprises an electricmotor in a switch controlled cover member is open.

circuit, said switch having an actuating arm held in 7. Apparatus foradvancing a multi-layer tape a an open circuit condition, motoractuating means comprising means for moving the switch to free its armfrom said holding means and permit the switch to close the circuit, andmotor deactuating means comprising means for contacting the switch armand returning it to a position wherein said switch opens the circuit;and

means actuated by the advancing tape to control the drive means afterthe tape has advanced the desired distance,

said drive means deactuating means being a rotatable drum having aroundits periphery at spaced intervals means adapted to be successivelyengaged, as the tape advances, by means carried by the tape,

desired distance comprising:

support means for a length of tape; means for advancing the tape; drivemeans for driving the tape advancing means; control means for said drivemeans;

a first operating means for said control means and adapted to initiateoperation of said drive means; second operating means, said secondoperating means including a rotatable drum having radial projectionsdisposed at spaced intervals around its periphery and positioned toenter cooperating openings in the tape, and switch actuating meanscarried by said drum, whereby rotation of the drum is caused by theadvancing tape until rotaswitch arm contacting means carried by thedrum, f said w h actuating means terminates the said switch arm normallyprojecting into the Operatlo of Sam meansrotary. path of said switch armcontacting means,

1. Apparatus for advancing a multi-layer tape a desired distancecomprising: support means for a length of tape; means for advancing thetape; drive means for the tape advancing means; control means for saiddrive means; a first operatIng means for said control means and adaptedto initiate operation of said drive means; and a second operating meansengaged and driven by the advancing tape for said control means andadapted to terminate operation of said drive means, said secondoperating means comprising a rotatable drum having radially projectingfingers disposed at spaced intervals around its periphery and positionedto enter slots in the tape and at least one switch actuating pinprojecting from said drum and spaced radially from the axis of rotationof said drum whereby rotation of the drum is caused by the advancingtape until said pin contacts said switch to terminate operation of themotor.
 2. Apparatus for advancing a multi-layer tape a desired distancecomprising: support means for a length of tape; means for advancing thetape; drive means for the tape advancing means; control means for saiddrive means; a first operating means for said control means and adaptedto initiate operation of said drive means; and a second operating meansengaged and driven by the advancing tape for said control means andadapted to terminate operation of said drive means, said means foradvancing the tape comprising a take up spool, said drive meanscomprising an electric motor drivingly connected to the take up spool,said second operating means comprising a rotatable drum having radiallyprojecting fingers disposed at spaced intervals around its periphery andpositioned to enter slots in the tape and at least one switch actuatingpin projecting from said drum and spaced radially from and parallel tothe axis of rotation of said drum whereby rotation of the drum is causedby the advancing tape until said pin contacts said switch to terminateoperation of the motor.
 3. Apparatus for advancing a multilayer tapedesired distance comprising: support means for a length of tape; meansfor advancing the tape; drive means for the tape advancing means whichcomprises an electric motor in a switch controlled circuit, said switchhaving an actuating arm held in an open circuit condition, motoractuating means comprises means for moving the switch to free its armfrom said holding means and permit the switch to close the circuit, andmotor deactuating means comprising means for contacting the switch armand returning it to a position wherein said switch opens the circuit;and means actuated by the advancing tape to control the drive meansafter the tape has advanced the desired distance, said tape having aseries of longitudinally spaces slots and the drive means deactuatingmeans being a rotary member having radially projected fingers disposedat spaced intervals around its periphery and positioned to successivelyenter slots in the tape as the tape is advanced whereby the movement ofthe tape is transmitted to the rotary member and causes it to rotate,said drive means deactuating means further comprising means which as therotary member rotates, contacts the switch arm and moves it to opencircuit position.
 4. Apparatus for advancing a multi-layer tape adesired distance comprising: support means for a length of tape; meansfor advancing the tape; drive means for the tape advancing means whichcomprises an electric motor in a switch controlled circuit, said switchhaving an actuating arm held in an open circuit condition, motoractuating means comprising means for moving the switch to free its armfrom said holding means and permit the switch to close the circuit, andmotor deactuating means comprising means for contacting the switch armand returning it to a position wherein said switch opens the circuit;and means actuated by the advancing tape to control the drive meansafter the tape has advanced the desired distance, said drive meansdeactuating means being a rotatable drum having around its periphery atspaced intervals means adapted to be successively engaged, as the tapeadvances, by means carried by the tape, swiTch arm contacting meanscarried by the drum, the said switch arm normally projecting into therotary path of said switch arm contacting means, the said contactingmeans being spaced apart a predetermined distance to contact the switcharm as the drum is rotated and stop the advance of the tape after it hasadvanced a desired distance as indicated by the spacing between saidcontacting means.
 5. Apparatus for advancing a composite tape having anupper layer and a protective backing layer a desired distancecomprising: support means for a length of tape; means for advancing thetape; drive means for the tape advancing means; means for actuating thedrive means; means actuated by the advancing tape to control the drivemeans after the tape has advanced the desired distance; means for movingthe support means longitudinally if the protective layer of the tapestrip breaks thus relieving the pressure exerted on an end of thesupport by the protective tape layer extending around it; a sensing armoperable to deactuate the drive means; and means communicatinglongitudinal movement of the support to the sensing arm and causing itto deactuate the drive means.
 6. Apparatus for advancing a multi-layertape a desired distance comprising: support means for a length of tape;means for advancing the tape; drive means for the tape advancing means;means for actuating the drive means; means actuated by the advancingtape to control the drive means after the tape has advanced the desireddistance; a cover member movable between a closed position and an openposition; a sensing arm operable to deactuate the drive means; and meansresponsive to the position of the cover member communicating to thesensing arm the position of the cover member and causing the sensing armto deactuate the drive means when the cover member is open.
 7. Apparatusfor advancing a multi-layer tape a desired distance comprising: supportmeans for a length of tape; means for advancing the tape; drive meansfor driving the tape advancing means; control means for said drivemeans; a first operating means for said control means and adapted toinitiate operation of said drive means; second operating means, saidsecond operating means including a rotatable drum having radialprojections disposed at spaced intervals around its periphery andpositioned to enter cooperating openings in the tape, and switchactuating means carried by said drum, whereby rotation of the drum iscaused by the advancing tape until rotation of said switch actuatingmeans terminates operation of said drive means.